Traffic control device



United States Patent M 3,319,222 TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE James H. Grant, Greenville, .C., and John V. Jester, deceased, late of Greenville, S.C., by Allie Gentry .ggsgr, Executrix, 320 Hampton Ave., Greenville, S33.

Filed Apr. 9, 1964, Ser. No. 359,550 1 Claim. (Cl. 340-38) This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 28,565, filed May 12, 1960, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a traflic control device for giving indication of a traflic signal light violation.

This invention is concerned with the problem of controlling trafiic especially from the standpoint of preventing signal violations such as the running of red lights. Formerly, this problem has been dealt with by using the testimony of police oflicers and other witnesses in the trial of cases in police courts and the like looking toward the conviction of such violators. No devices have been available to give signals and the like upon the occurrence of such a violation, and no devices have been available to prevent vehicles from creeping into predestrian lanes and starting into an intersection too soon. No means have been available to educate or correct such offenders at the time of the occurrence of the violation which is perhaps the time when such correction is most effective.

Accordingly, it is object of this invention to provide a traflic control device for use with traflic lights to prevent running red lights and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide an indicating device which will reduce the responsibility of the Officer involved in making an arrest for a traflic light violation by substantiating his testimony in a subsequent trial of the accused.

An important object of the invention is to provide an electrical operable means for indicating a trafiic light violation with accuracy which will allow police oflicers to carry on other duties at the scene.

A principal objective of this invention is to educate and discourage drivers of vehicles from moving into a pedestrian lane prematurely, and to further prevent the running of red lights by the driving public. This objective is obtained by causing an audible or other type signal of a predetermined duration to emphatically alert the driver and/or other persons in the vicinity. In this invention the power source is connected through the red signal or stop signal of a trafiic device with further means to close circuitry for a predetermined length of time upon the energization of a pressure operated switch. The desired delay is accomplished through the use of a timing relay which remains closed for a period of time subsequent to the closure of said switch even though the closing time of the switch is substantially instantaneous.

Another important object of this invention is to reduce traffic accidents by reducing traific light violations.

Another object of the invention is to discourage drivers of vehicles moving into pedestrian lanes prematurely.

Another object of the invention is to discourage drivers of vehicles entering an intersection before the traffic light has changed to the proper signal.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive traflic control device to prevent the running of red lights and the like.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an audible signal and the like to make a violation known to the driver of a vehicle and those around him at the time of the occurrence of such volations.

Yet another object of the invention is to increase revenue from fines and convictions for such traflic violations.

3,319,222 Patented May 9, 1967 Still another object of the invention is to provide a device with which counting mechanism might be incorporated to provide statistics concerning the number of such trafiic violations occurring at a particular locality.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic plan view showing an intersection and a traflic control device constructed in accordance with the present invention being employed therewith; and

FIGURE 2 is a circuit diagram showing the various electrical connections and devices employed in the embodiment of the invention illustrated.

FIGURE 1 shows an intersection of a main traflic artery 10 with a side street 11. The artery 10 has a center line 12 dividing the artery into four lanes 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d. The lanes '10a and 10b are controlled by the traffic signal light 13 which is controlled by a traffic signal control, box 14, located at a suitable position, as shown schematically in the drawing, at the intersection. The traffic signal light may be of any of the well known types having a red or stop signal. The traflic light 13 is energized through the lines 1311 and 13b from the signal box 14. The signal box 14 is energized through the lines 15 and 16 from a suitable source of electrical energy.

A traflic control cable device in the form of a pressure hose 17 is shown extending across the lanes 10a and 10b and secured to the street as by suitable brackets 18 and 19. The hose 17 is suitably positioned by fastening means such as nails 18a and 19a driven into the asphalt. If desired, the device may be moved from one point to another to control different traffic lanes by removing the nails. One end of the pressure hose 17 is connected to a suitable plug 20 projecting from the housing 21 of the traffic con :trol device, while the other end of the hose is clamped closed by the clamp 19b.

The pressure hose 17 actuates a diaphragm pressure switch 22 so that the movable contact 22a connects a pair of fixed contacts 22b and 220 to close a circuit through a line 23. The line 23 is thus connected to the red signal contact 23a of the signal box and a line 24 through a coil 25 of a solenoid and the like forming a part of a timing relay 26. The energization of the coil 25 causes the solenoid core 26a to move downwardly in FIGURE 2 moving the movable contact 26b into engagemen-t with the fixed contacts 260 and 26d of the timing relay. The timing relay may be of any of the well known types and serves to keep the circuit closed for an appreciable period of time for the purpose of ringing the bell 27 or other signalling devices for a predetermined length of time. Thus a signalling device, in the form of a bell 27, is placed across the lines 23 and 24 when the red signal is energized.

The timing relay 2'6 utilizes a pneumatic time delay unit which is mechanically operated by a coil 25 which operates its plunger 26a. The time delay function is dependent upon the transfer of air through a restricted orifice (not shown). Adjustment of the timing range may be accomplished by positioning a needle valve to vary the degree of orifice restriction. \Energization or deenergization of the timing relay in this instance is controlled by the closing of contacts 22b and 22c responsive to actuation of the diaphragm switch 22. A pneumatic timing relay designated Class No. 905 0, Type No.

3 AG1E by Square D company has been found to be satisfactory.

A suitable counting mechanism 28 may be connected across the timing relay so as to be connected across the lines 23 and 24 when the bell 27 is energized to signal a violation. The counting mechanism 23 makes it possible to keep statistical data as to the number of signal light violations occurring at a particular locality.

As noted in FIGURE 1 the vehicles are shown just behind the trafiic lane 29. The pressure hose 17 is illustrated as being placed on the edge of the traffic lane 2% nearest the vehicular trafi'ic. This prevents the vehicles A from creeping into the trafiic lane 29 since the signal bell 27 would be actuated indicating this violation. Thus the device not only indicates the occurrence of an actual violation but also serves as a positive deterrent to further violations.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claim.

What is claimed is:

An intersection traffic control comprising an intersection of two streets, said intersection having an edge, trafiic signal 'means for said intersection, a source of electrical power, trafiic signal control means, said control means energizing said signal means from said source of power, including a red stop signal for one direction of trafiic entering said intersection, said control means having terminals which are energized while said red signal is energized, compressible pressure hose means, said hose means being positioned on one street extending across one direction of traffic adjacent said edge, a normally open pressure actuated switch means, said pressure switch means being coupled to said hose means for actuation thereby, said pressure switch having two contacts which are connected upon actuation of said pressure switch by said pressure hose, normally open timing relay means, said relay means having an actuating coil, a pair of fixed contacts, and means for making a circuit connection between said pair of fixed contacts, said last mentioned means being actuated by said coil to make said circuit, and to open said circuit a predetermined time after deenergization of said coil, a counter connected across said coil, first circuit means connecting said pressure actuated switch and said actuating coil in series across said terminal, signalling means, and second circuit means connecting said signalling means and said fixed contacts in series across said terminals whereby actuation of said pressure actuated switch means causes operation of said counter and said signalling means.

NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner.

THOMAS B. HABECKER, Examiner. 

